Mechanical broadhead

Abstract

A mechanical broadhead having blades movable from a retracted mode to a deployed mode is provided including a generally external retainer element which holds the blades in the retracted mode, but also selectively releases the blades so that they can transition to the deployed mode. The retainer element can include a collar and one or more tabs. A blade can include a projection and/or a recess that is engaged by one or more tabs to secure the blade in the retracted position. The tabs can be paired and can define a retainer slot therebetween. The blade can be at least partially disposed in the retainer slot in the retracted mode and/or in the deployed mode.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. An archery broadhead comprising:
 a ferrule having an exterior surface and a longitudinal axis, the ferrule defining a ferrule slot, the ferrule including a stem projecting rearwardly from the ferrule, the stem adapted to join with an arrow; 
 a blade movably positioned in the ferrule slot, the blade including at least one of a projection and a recess, the blade adapted to be configured in a retracted mode and a deployed mode, 
 a retainer element joined with the ferrule, the retainer element including a first tab located outside the ferrule, radially outward of the exterior surface of the ferrule, 
 wherein the first tab engages the at least one of the projection and the recess of the blade to secure the blade in the retracted mode. 
 
     
     
       2. The archery broadhead of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first tab is a resilient tab, 
 wherein the resilient tab urges the blade outward and away from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule. 
 
     
     
       3. The archery broadhead of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the blade includes a forward end and a rearward end with a cutting edge extending therebetween, 
 wherein the first tab urges the rearward end of the blade away from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule. 
 
     
     
       4. The archery broadhead of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the retainer element includes a collar defining an aperture, 
 wherein the retainer element is positioned on the stem so that the collar circumferentiates the stem, with the stem positioned through the aperture. 
 
     
     
       5. The archery broadhead of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the blade includes a blade side surface, 
 wherein the at least one of a projection and a recess is included on the blade side surface, 
 wherein first tab extends along the blade side surface and resiliently engages the at least one of a projection and a recess of the blade side surface. 
 
     
     
       6. The archery broadhead of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the blade includes an inner edge, 
 wherein the at least one of a projection and a recess is included on the inner edge, 
 wherein the first tab engages the at least one of a projection and a recess rearward of the ferrule slot. 
 
     
     
       7. The archery broadhead of  claim 6  wherein the inner edge defines a recess, wherein the first tab includes a portion that engages the periphery of the recess. 
     
     
       8. The archery broadhead of  claim 7  wherein the blade is pivotally joined with the ferrule, and wherein the inner edge faces outwardly away from the longitudinal axis in the retracted mode, and inwardly toward the longitudinal axis in the deployed mode. 
     
     
       9. The archery broadhead of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the retainer element includes a second tab positioned adjacent the first tab with a retainer slot defined therebetween, 
 wherein the blade is configured to slide generally rearwardly through the retainer slot when transitioning from the retracted mode to the deployed mode. 
 
     
     
       10. An archery broadhead comprising:
 a ferrule having an exterior surface and defining a ferrule slot, the ferrule including a stem projecting rearwardly from the ferrule, the stem adapted to join with an arrow, the ferrule having a longitudinal axis; 
 a blade movably positioned in the ferrule slot, the blade joined with the ferrule and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, the blade including a blade surface having at least one of a projection and a recess, the blade adapted to be configured in a retracted mode and a deployed mode, 
 a retainer element including a collar, the collar defining an aperture, the retainer element including a first tab and a second tab extending from the collar, the first tab and the second tab defining a retainer slot therebetween, 
 wherein the retainer element is positioned on the stem so that the collar circumferentiates the stem, 
 wherein the blade is positioned adjacent the retainer element so that at least a portion of the blade is positioned in the retainer slot, generally between the first tab and the second tab, 
 wherein at least one of the first tab and the second tab engage the at least one of the projection and the recess of the blade to secure the blade in the retracted mode. 
 
     
     
       11. The archery broadhead of  claim 10  wherein the first tab and second tab are paired with one another and oppose one another on opposite sides of the retainer slot. 
     
     
       12. The archery broadhead of  claim 11  wherein the blade includes the blade surface having a projection, wherein the first tab is resiliently biased against the projection to hold the blade in the retracted mode. 
     
     
       13. The archery broadhead of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the first tab and the second tab of the retainer element are located outside the ferrule, adjacent the exterior surface of the ferrule, and generally located on opposing sides of the ferrule slot, 
 wherein the retainer slot is aligned generally in parallel with the ferrule slot, whereby as the blade transitions from the retracted mode to the deployed mode, the blade slides through the ferrule slot and the retainer slot. 
 
     
     
       14. The archery broadhead of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the first and second tabs are resiliently attached to the collar, wherein the blade includes a forward end and a rearward end with a cutting edge extending therebetween, 
 wherein the first tab and the second tab are configured to urge the rearward end of the blade away from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule. 
 
     
     
       15. The archery broadhead of  claim 10  wherein the blade surface defines a recess, wherein at least one of the first tab and the second tab engage the recess of the blade to secure the blade in the retracted mode. 
     
     
       16. The archery broadhead of  claim 10  wherein the blade is a rearward deploying blade and slides at least partially within the ferrule slot when transitioning from the retracted mode to the deployed mode. 
     
     
       17. An archery broadhead comprising:
 a ferrule including a longitudinal axis and a stem, the stem configured to join with an arrow; 
 a blade joined with the ferrule and movable from a retracted mode to a deployed mode, 
 a retainer element including a collar, the collar defining an aperture, the retainer element positioned so that the stem projects through the aperture of the collar, the collar including a tab projecting radially outwardly, away from the longitudinal axis, the tab positioned adjacent and engaging the blade, external to the ferrule, to temporarily secure the blade in the retracted mode,
 wherein the blade includes a blade side surface, 
 wherein the tab engages at least one of a recess and a projection included on the blade side surface. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The archery broadhead of  claim 17  wherein the tab is constructed from a resilient material, wherein the tab is configured to urge the blade to the retracted mode, but configured to flex when the blade engages a target so as to enable the blade to transition from the retracted mode to the deployed mode. 
     
     
       19. The archery broadhead of  claim 17  wherein the tab is configured to flex radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis when the blade engages a target.